Experience of and response to frustration among foster and home-reared adolescents

Differences in the report of and response to frustration were studied between 54 home-reared adolescents and 50 foster adolescents. Theoretical clarification regarding factors related to the report of frustration and hostile, blame-oriented response to frustration were also investigated in this study using the Rosenzweig Picture Frustration Test as well as a self-report measure of frustration experience. Findings showed that foster adolescents report significantly less frustration in the face of obstacles than do home-reared adolescents. Results also showed that elevated levels of Verbal IQ are related to decreased levels of frustration report, and that immature ego development is related to aggressive, blame-oriented, hostile response to frustration. The implications of these findings are discussed, and are compared and contrasted to information presented in studies of adult home-reared populations.